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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Retirement Planning - Why Now?

Secure Retirement Solutions

An issue that is quite often encountered when researching secure retirement solutions is when to begin the process of planning and preparing for retirement. Even with the constant barrage of news about the impending bankruptcy of governments and the right wing desire to cut all entitlement programs, like social security, many Americans still believe they are entitled to have social security to support them through their retirement years. Just one reason this may not be realistic is that Americans are living much longer than they did in the past when the entire social security system was created.

It's true Americans are living longer and they are also leading more active lives. The media harps on about rising obesity and it is a problem but its our youth and working adults who are at risk here. Today's retirees not so much. They are travellers, they take all kinds of courses and lessons like learning to dance and they tend to try out new things that they may not have had the opportunity to experience when they were working raising families. Now they're taking time to do many wonderful things and participate in wonderful activities. Watch our parents live this life is setting us up for the same but it won't be a reality with out savings and a good secure retirement plan to get us there.

This is the number one reason to start retirement planning as soon as possible. The reality is you are never too young to begin. Now it's not just about putting aside cash for the retirement but about planning and implementing productive retirement strategies - ways that allow you to securely grow your retirement savings so you can increase your retirement possibilities. Whether you are just starting work, in your middle earning years or you're getting close to retirement - NOW! is the time to take your ideas and objectives and show them to a retirement planning adviser. Learn about the guidance they are able to offer. Get their input on establishing objectives so you are better able to determine your retirement plan. With that kind of information you are able to make the most of your investment decisions while developing accurate and repeatable investment techniques you can use each and every month.

Independent Financial Advisor

Its common to disregard the natural part bias a financial advisor can have in preparing a sensible financial future for us. When someone is being paid commission to promote a certain company it's only natural they will appear confident that their products are the best for you. This is especially true and make for a certain vulnerability when it comes to our financial retirement plan. A good independent financial consultant will know the proper funds and techniques that many people haven't even heard about. It only makes sense to visit a specialist that makes your family's future their priority rather than one company who writes their pay check. Why is it essential to include this as part of your strategy? Well its like shopping for a house wit a relator who only shows you his exclusive listing vs one who will show you MLS listings. You can easily see the bias works against you when a realtor only shows you what he wants to sell and will make the highest commission from. The same holds true for your financial advisor.

The earlier you begin planning a broad and diverse retirement plan the more confident you can be that you are finding the best and most secure retirement solutions. The easiest way to move forward is to establish retirement targets, create a financial plan which takes your lifestyle objectives and strategies into account and find an independent financial expert who will give you his unbiased insights. Investing now even if you think it is too soon is a lot wiser than investing to late and hoping it will workout.

Have you been thinking about your best retirement options for your golden years? Good! Now take action and consider secure retirment solutions by looking at: your target retirement income, the local - state and federal taxes which will impact your retirement fund and property prices that will determine if and when you can retire to the lifestyle you really want.

Have you ever fantasized about living in one of those posh retirement communities? Are they really as good to live in as they claim? Does living in a luxury retirement village actually make you appear like you're better than others? Will you feel spoiled? When you hear about how 2 hour concierge services; award winning cuisine; anti-aging health spas; tennis courts; pools and more do wonder how you can trust in these extreme claims? Are these luxury retirement villages really all they claim to be?

It seems these retirement havens go all out in their marketing to make you believe you really can have it all and at a fraction of the price. The best retirement places? One example is one of the most successful housing construction firms in the US opening 4 luxury retirement villages somewhere in the country every year! One such community in Florida is the Sarasota Bay Club. There they boast a community theater where they have live broadcasts of the Philadelphia Orchestra - not a few but every concert they play! In another Arizona retirement village all of the houses are built around a big pro designed golf course and a facility for continuing care.

So how can they do all fo this and offer all of that at prices which seem to be too good to be true? The answer is not a conspiracy and its a lot simpler than you might think - the bottom line is supply and demand and with the price sensitive home market we are in at this moment even those catering to the wealthy retiree can't afford to raise prices. It's true - in more than three dozen markets across the nation there have been no price raises in managed living facilities for the past three years.

Over the years the quality of life retirees have come to expect has been rising consistently. The new retiree now looks for things like: organic dining options; full service well equipped gyms and fitness centers; onsite entertainment options; luxurious surroundings and on top of that they expect this and more as standard offerings. They don't expect to pay a premium but they demand these premium conveniences. The reality is that the cost of entry into one of these luxury retirement villages is only one part of the final cost. Someone has to pay so residents need to be prepared to pay each month for additional maintenance and security in addition to the extras they desire. These communities commonly have residents sign a detailed contract which deals with healthcare costs as well. But, living in one of thee villages may still be well worthwhile just for the quality of life and living they represent in your later years. Think about it: top-rated chefs and massage therapists available anytime of the day or night. Sounds like a nice way to spend your final years.

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About Me

I'm on a Mission! to find the Cheapest Places to Live with a nice quality of life. I found Panama to be one such place - you can learn more in my Free 'Letters from Panama' at LearnAboutPanama.com. Please join in the discussion here on the blog by leaving your comments and your own stories about places where people are happy living frugally!